D.C. Region Airports Get a New Accountability Officer

The terminal at Washington/Dulles International Airport is seen in this June 21, 2008 early evening photo. AFP PHOTO/Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)The terminal at Washington/Dulles International Airport. Credit: KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, Va.— The board that manages the Washington area’s two airports is getting a new internal watchdog.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced Monday that Lynn Deavers has been appointed as the accountability officer for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

In addition to running Ronald Reagan National and Washington Dulles International airports, the board is overseeing the $6 billion expansion of Metrorail service to Dulles.

A recent federal audit criticized the airports board for relying on no-bid contracts and accepting expensive gifts from contractors.

Deavers replaces Kim Moore, who’s taking a job with the House transportation committee. She’ll work on ethics and management reforms until Congress appoints a permanent inspector general for the authority.